A Vallejo marijuana dispensary held a public workshop Saturday on the medicinal properties of cannabis.

The four-hour event, "Canna we Talk," was held from 4 to 8 p.m. at 415 Georgia St., and organized by 101 North, a "private cannabis club."

"I think we're at a critical point right now," Michelle Nix of 101 North said. "With the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington, there is the start of separation between the recreational and medicinal (use of marijuana). I think we cannot overlook the medicinal side of it."

Nix said the goal of Saturday's event was to educate the public of the benefits marijuana is believed to have on a

variety of illnesses.

"We've got a lot more results and studies now with the emergence of research due to the legalization in Colorado and Washington," Nix said.

The event was non-political and entirely educational, she added.

The presenters included Paul Armentano, the deputy director of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws; Clint Werner, author of Marijuana Gateway To Health; Mike Boutin and B.E. Smith, stars of the reality series Weed Country; and Mario Saucedo of Solano AIDS Coalition.

About two dozen people attended the event, which also included a question and answer session for each speaker.

Nix said the event was aimed at those who might have been recently diagnosed with an illness and want to learn more about using marijuana medicinally.

A Vallejo woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she came to the event with her husband, who is starting to develop dementia.

She said she wants to know if there has been any research that explored that area. The woman said she's been using medical marijuana for the past two years due to depression and pain caused by her dislocated shoulder.

"It's helped a lot," she said. "I don't see anything wrong with it. I only (use marijuana) when I feel like it; I don't do it everyday."

Marijuana is still recognized as an illegal substance at the federal level.

However, the Vallejo Planning Commission may consider a draft city ordinance on medical marijuana regulation at its March 17 meeting.

Another four-hour workshop is planned for the same time and location on April 19. In addition to Saturday's speakers, a representative from Americans for Safe Access is expected to speak at that event.